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Personal Reflection/Anecdote

Our House

By Phyllis E. VanBuren

Teachers know that learners remember the stories, not the lectures. The same is
true when an educator is the learner. I remember the point of a story, not always the
details. I am writing this viewpoint thanks to a moving speech by a colleague.
An international representative at a Minnesota State Organization convention
spoke of the three levels of DKG. Did she describe a pyramid? A triangle? An
edifice? I do not recall, but that was the seed that she planted. I began to think of
involvement at the chapter, state organization, and international levels.
I do not recall the structure that she described, but to me it has become a house.
A house is a safe and secure place for family. This house is not a residence but
rather a meeting place of shared activities to achieve the mission of personal and
professional growth of all members. It represents the organizational structure of the
Society. The business of the organization occurs at all three levels.
The image grew more vivid this year as the relocation of our headquarters
building is in our near future. Our leaders have assured us that our organization is
more than a single building. Point made—we are the organization.
Let’s consider “our” house…that
needs not have a specific geographical
location or zip code but does follow
the architectural design of structures in
general. When we build a house, at least
in the colder parts of the country where
I live, the basement is the first level,
generally including two floors above
to complete the house. Stairways allow
the occupants to move easily from one
level to another, just as members do
as they interact with fellow members
at the chapter, state organizaton,
and international levels. Everyone
experiences support from the other
members who share the house.
In DKG, we start our membership
at the base level—the chapter. We are
free to attend meetings, conferences, and conventions at the state organization Figure seen in the
DKG NEWS Volume
(first floor) and/or international (second floor) levels—but frequently do not. We 78-4
feel exhilaration and honor when we are invited to join an organization of leading
women educators. We support one another, personally and professionally, with
informative programs, stimulating conversations, and treats. The emphasis is on
“we” in that shared community.
If we stay only at the chapter level, we will have a rich experience. But are we
courageous enough to advance beyond our comfort zones? Yes! We are educational
leaders. We seek new ideas of how to increase the educational opportunities for our
students. Those ideas come from conversations and workshops at all three levels of

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